Lithium-ion batteries have seen rapid development due to their high energy density, high output voltage, long lifespan, and low self-discharge rate, and are now widely used in renewable energy, smart grids, distributed generation, microgrid systems, new energy vehicles, industrial energy conservation, emergency power supplies, home energy storage, warehousing, and logistics.
However, with the mass production and application of lithium-ion batteries, accidents involving lithium-ion battery fires occur frequently. In response, a Japanese research team has developed a lithium-ion battery that will not catch fire. According to reports, a research team from Yokohama National University and Sumitomo Electric Industries, among other institutions, used water as the electrolyte and nanoscale molybdenum-based oxides as the negative electrode, achieving a practically usable battery performance.
This type of battery poses no risk of fire and can be quickly charged. Even after 2000 charge-discharge cycles, its capacity decreases by less than 30%, making it a promising candidate for energy storage batteries or short-range electric vehicles.
As is well known, the main cause of lithium battery fires is thermal runaway. When thermal runaway occurs, the battery temperature can rapidly rise to 400 to 1000 degrees Celsius, leading to fires, explosions, and other accidents.
The new lithium battery developed by a Japanese research team effectively avoids thermal runaway in lithium batteries, and its electrolyte material is safer. There’s no need to worry about fire accidents, and it can be quickly charged.